Hot weather doesn't seem to bother Katie. She still wants OUT. So we go out, the bumble bees buzz around and Katie loves it. High pollen count? No problem, Katie goes outside, lets out a few ceremonious sneezes and then continues with her rounds. Katie's got a routine down. Bark at the neighbors, run to the front of the house, run to the side, bark 3 times then trots back and expects a treat or something. I'm still not sure. We play fetch, or rather her version of Sheltie fetch which is basically fetching the ball two or maybe three times then run around the yard with it in her mouth and soak the ball with doggie drool, then give it back to me. Thanks. We did get some nice photos out of the day outdoors. Memorial Day weekend was great. Got a lot of good playtime in. Got some more treat ideas with summer themes and getting prepared for our upcoming events. We've got a busy weekend, Katie and I. We have 3 events that we plan to attend. Well, technically it will be pretty hard to do all three but we have to try. Looking forward to seeing our friends at these events, WBAB's Pets in the Park at Farmingdale University on Long Island, ASPCA's Central Park Dogwalk and Leashes and Lover's Ice Cream Social. We are very excited about the ice cream social. Katie is just so happy to be able to attend an event at last. Very cool. Well, she will be cool. I'll be serving treats! Oh, and we found some great books over the weekend at Barnes and Noble. I want to share my thoughts on them but that's for another time. Back to the biscuits...

Went to a great party on Wednesday night. Yappy Hour at The Barking Dog (150 East 34th Street, NYC) hosted by Party Animals of North Shore Animal League. Good food, good wine (provided by Doghouse wines). Got to share our treats with some really nice dogs. Animal Planet was there filming a little segment. These dog social events are really a fun time. It's simple. You come, you enjoy a little conversation/chit chat and your dog gets to socialize with other dogs. So there were people from all over Manhattan, Long Island and even the president/CEO of Animal Attraction.com was there. This is their second event since their launch party at Precious Pets (895 First Avenue, btwn 50 & 51st streets, NYC). I loved Precious Pets. I thought that little boutique was just adorable and the staff was really friendly.
The Barking Dog is a great place to go with your dog. I heard that people bring their dogs and can have a nice meal there. It's small enough to have a quiet dinner and the atmosphere is very pleasant. The staff was very attentive at the party and everyone seemed to enjoy the great service.
The next party is the pool party for your pooches at DOG RUN NYC and it is being held on June 21, 2006. The information is at www.nsalamerica.org/party. There will be doggy ice cream and of course, our treats are there too! This is a great way to meet other dog owners, chat about places to go in the city with your dog or on vacation. Plus, your dog gets to hang out with other dogs and with you. I think it's more than just treats. I like doing what I do because I get to meet some really great people, share some healthy dog snacks and promote healthy living. So get out of the house and bring your dog. It's going to be a really fun time!

I love how Katie will come to me in the morning, all bright eyed, bushy tailed, just like the saying goes...ready to go out and well, do her business. She is like this every single day. She needs no coffee or a nice shower. She just is wide awake and ready to go. I wish I were like that. I am basically desperate for the early morning cup of coffee, black with a sprinkle of cinnamon...basically pure and unadulterated coffee. The burst of morning air is refreshing, no doubt about that. The little romp to get the newspaper helps loosen up the muscles before a morning run on the treadmill. But truly what I desire is actually that feeling she must have. She's excited to see me and have a great day. It's what I've been trying to accomplish with The Honeybark Bakery really. That feeling of pure happiness in my dog treats. Strange but true. I put only these really good ingredients in there and when I bake, I have that great feeling that I'm doing something important and good. Simple stuff, good feelings, good ingredients and just bake it all up into a treat.

I look into her eyes as she puts her chin on my leg. She presses on my leg insistently and I'm not exactly sure what she wants right now but I know I'll figure it out.

Good food, good fun, great dog...it's the Honeybark (www.honeybark.com) way.

Cesar Millan is talking at Borders today. I'm just going to have a chat with that man. I'm so curious what he is about.